Daniel 1

This first chapter of the book of Daniel doesn’t really give us much history about Daniel’s life, nor does it tell us much about his circumstances when the siege of Jerusalem begins. But we do find out some very important things about him that we need to take into account:

First we find out that Daniel, along with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (whom I will now refer to as Daniels friends) all come from the tribe of Judah. The significance of this is simply that they were part of God’s chosen and holy people. As one of God’s chosen people now, I feel very confident that He will protect me and be there for me. Likewise I am confident that Daniel and his friends believed the same: that God would protect them and also protect His “holy city” Jerusalem. So when God allows, and not just allows but delivers, them and the city into the hands of their enemy, their perspective of God is probably shaken – we’ll get back to this later.

Second we find out that Daniel and his friends were basically studs. In verses 4 and 5 we find out that they were part of the “…royal family [or] nobility – young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to learn and qualified…”. Things were going well for these guys. They were probably athletic and popular, but also very well learned both physically and spiritually; which brings me to my next point:

Lastly it is important for us to realize that Daniel and his friends must have been spiritual. Contrary to this day and age, people of the tribe of Israel were well trained in the ways of the Lord. Daniel and his friends knew the scriptures and made the sacrifices. Spirituality wasn’t a small chore for them; it was a way of life. We have heard about how Jewish people do not eat certain meats etc. and to them it was very true, and very real. The Lord commanded it and they followed it.

So where does all of this bring us? These guys had everything going for them. They were wealthy, stable, following the Lord . . . what could go wrong? Well, everything – a siege, the destruction of your entire world (Jerusalem), the death of most all of your family, being taken away as a slave . . . I don’t think there is much else to lose.

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lords purpose that prevails”

The important thing to remember is that if your trust is in the Lord, He will make your paths straight – even if they don’t look it. It is so easy for us to hang our hat on our plans and on our situation. We think things are going great, and they may even be great; but the Lord has a bigger plan. As we read through this book – Daniel – we will find out more about how God uses this situation to help Daniel, and do great things, but for now I want you to realize that it is so important to remember that God is always working out things for your good – regardless of what it may seem.

--Seth Gordon, Recreation Director